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This study employed an intervention involving motor skills training, whole body exercise, and sports and games to improve manual motor skills and reaction time in a group of adults with autism spectrum disorder and an intellectual disability (ASD-ID). Eleven adults with ASD-ID engaged in this intervention for 90 minutes twice a week, for 12 weeks. Modified versions of the 25 Grooved Pegboard, Box and Block, and Stick Catching Tests measured fine and gross motor skills and reaction time, respectively. Motor skills were evaluated at the beginning, middle, and end of the program, and following 4 weeks with no training. Trends indicating improvement in motor skills were evident, but participant difficulties in performing the Stick Catching Test made assessment of reaction time challenging. Despite this, many findings of practical significance emerged from this study, which demonstrated a viable model for implementation of similar programs with multiple participants. Given the importance of motor skills for independence, safety, and quality of life, more research on activities that promote the development of these skills in adults with ASD-ID is warranted. Understanding how to facilitate motor skill development in these individuals will assist them in becoming more active in the community and more independent around their homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor impairments have been acknowledged as a symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, few reliable measures of motor control are available for individuals with ASD, particularly for adults. This study examined the reliability of four Jebsen Test of Hand Function (JTHF) subtests ("card turning," "small common objects," "checkers," "heavy cans") for adults with ASD and an intellectual disability (ASD-ID). Eleven adults with ASD-ID completed these four subtests weekly for three consecutive weeks. Absolute agreement intraclass correlations (ICC) revealed high test re-test reliability for each subtest (ICC > 0.90). These subtests of the JTHF are recommended to monitor change in hand function during motor control interventions designed for adults with ASD-ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionMethodsResultsConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people around the world, partly due to the restrictions it imposed on social interactions. This impact was felt to a great extent by persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an intellectual disability (ID) who rely on 24-hour support to live in the community, and by their mothers, who remain caregivers and advocates when their child has left the family home.This qualitative study investigated the impact of public-health restrictions on the lived experience of ten mothers of adult children living in supported residential accommodations (SRA), through semi-structured interviews informed by a strengths-based perspective.Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: importance of communication, mental health and well-being, and navigating challenges.Participant accounts not only revealed the effect of restrictions on mental health and well-being, but also, the need to recognize the principle of linked lives in contingency planning for future crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]